More information on road maintenance

Selecting roads for maintenance

• The roads selected for major maintenance are based upon expert inspections and in-depth technical data, ensuring that works are delivered where local drivers need them most.
• Our crews regularly inspect every single kilometre of our arterial road network, delivering short-term repairs where needed while also identifying necessary long-term works.
• We also encourage drivers to report and hazards or issues they come across on our arterial road network by calling 13 11 70.

Different types of road maintenance

• Our regular inspection regime identifies the condition of the road network and we undertake three types of pavement works as needed:
  • Rehabilitation: The most extensive form of road maintenance, which involves strengthening a failing road by adding additional pavement material and may also include removing the failed material and treating to restore the pavement and surface. This brings the road up to current standards as compared to treating a surface that already exists.
  • Resurfacing: Replacing the surface layers of the road to both protect the pavement from water damage and fix any surface defects. Resurfacing helps to extend the longevity of a road.
  • Routine maintenance: Routine maintenance is undertaken through proactive inspections of the network where we identify hazards and defects – and either fix or manage them. This could include potholes or minor surface issues. On our roadsides, it can include repairing damaged signs, cleaning gutters and drains, mowing and clearing litter. The focus is on keeping the road safe and generally involves an immediate fix.

Maintaining our roads in different seasons 

• We inspect the condition of our roads on a regular basis and deliver emergency repairs where and when they’re needed. 
• However, to deliver major works such as road rebuilding and rehabilitation, we need extended periods of warmer, drier conditions. 
• That’s why we deliver the majority of work between September and May each year, ensuring we’re delivering repairs that last. 

Technical standards

• Our roads are still built to the same technical standards they’ve always been built to.
• These are the same standards that are agreed upon and used by all Australian states and territories.

Repairing potholes

• Pothole repairs are an inevitable part of managing and maintaining a major road network which caters to millions of trips each day.
• Since 2019, our crews have repaired an average of 250,000 potholes per year.
• Last year, we repaired 266,000 individual potholes.
• If potholes can be easily repaired, our crews will fill and compact them on the spot.
• Otherwise, they’re filled and monitored while we plan for future large-scale repairs.

Rubbish and graffiti

Removing dumped rubbish from roadsides

We’re improving our approach to removing rubbish, litter and debris from our roadsides this year.

Our crews will conduct more regular clean-ups in known rubbish dumping hotspots, meaning that high-traffic areas like our major highways will be free from unsightly rubbish and litter.

Graffiti removal

We prioritise the removal of offensive or dangerous graffiti, with an aim to remove it within 24 hours of it being reported.

For other instances of graffiti, especially in hard-to-reach places, we plan for its removal, but may need to close lanes or reduce speeds so it’s safe for our crews to do so.

Reporting rubbish dumping and graffiti

If you witness someone dumping rubbish or littering on our road network, you should immediately report it to the EPA by calling 1300 372 842.

If you see rubbish that has been dumped on the network, you can report it by calling the Transport Victoria customer service line on 13 11 70.